Home · Cyprinidae · Sonora chub
Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) — Cyprinidae

Sonora chub

Gila ditaenia
Family: Cyprinidae

The Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, USA

Want the complete picture on the Sonora chub?

Get the app

Description

The Sonora chub is a minnow (Leuciscidae) from desert streams of the Sonora region of northwestern Mexico and adjacent Arizona. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a streamlined, grey-green body with two dark longitudinal bands and a spot on the tail base. It lives in clear, sometimes temporary desert pools and streams and eats insects, small invertebrates, algae and detritus. Its restricted range makes it vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sonora chub?

The Sonora chub has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Sonora chub live?

The Sonora chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: Mexico, USA

How big does the Sonora chub get?

The Sonora chub grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Sonora chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Sonora chub is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — (c) Rob Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0)
Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Seth Shively, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Chia⚡aka Cory Chiappone, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jctalkington, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sonora chub?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sonora chub is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Sonora chub sourced
Scientific name
Gila ditaenia
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Sonora chub; Charalito Sonorense verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gila

More from the family Cyprinidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sonora chub?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sonora chub is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Sonora chub? Get the app